Google now recognizes a whole lot of number patterns: FedEx, UPS, and USPS tracking numbers; vehicle ID numbers: U.S. patent numbers; UPC codes; area codes or whole phone numbers; and even FCC equipment IDs and FAA airplane reservation numbers. Usually, all you need to type into the usual Google search box is the number, and Google does the rest. However, for patent numbers you have to add the word patent to the beginning of the number, and for FCC equipment IDs you need to add fcc at the beginning. For flight information you need to type in the airline name or code before the flight number. Google says you need to enter the FCC airplane registration numbers that appear on each plane's tail, but I've never found that necessary.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, all original material of whatever nature created by Denise M. Howell and included in the Bag and Baggage weblog and any related pages, including the weblog's archives, is licensed under a Creative Commons License.